Turf Wars: The Growing Attack on Synthetic Turf Crumb Rubber Webinar

September 7, 2016
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Webinar

Starts: 1:00 PM (EDT)
Ends: 2:00 PM (EDT)

Synthetic turf is the target of recent allegations that the tiny bits of "crumb rubber" in the fields may be causing cancer. Health studies conducted to date have found no cause for concern. But ESPN and NBC News have both run specials highlighting the allegations, and several federal and state agencies and the European Chemicals Agency are conducting investigations. The issue is affecting local governments, universities, and sports teams in the US and UK. The panelists will discuss the nature of the attacks on this highly useful product, the current science and the ongoing investigations, and the risk of potential litigation. Webinars are complimentary. Please note that the IADC does NOT apply for CLE Credit for its webinars. However, attendees are welcome to apply for and/or claim credit as their jurisdictions allow. Please contact your state accrediting agency for state-specific requirements and rules.

Bill Anderson has practiced law for 27 years in product liability, toxic tort, and environmental matters that typically involve significant and complex medical and scientific issues and national coordination roles. He also serves as the Vice-Chair of the firm's Torts Group. Bill joined the IADC in 2015.

Dr. Salomé Cisnal de Ugarte
Crowell & Moring LLP, Brussels, Belguim

Dr. Salomé Cisnal de Ugarte is a partner based in the Brussels office of Crowell & Moring. Salomé focuses on EU law, with particular focus on antitrust and competition, regulatory, and international trade law. She represents clients before the European Commission, national competition or other regulatory authorities, and in European courts. As part of her extensive experience, she assists companies with regulatory and compliance issues. Clients come to her to understand their responsibilities, manage risk, and lessen the impact of complex regulatory regimes on their transactions or day-to-day operations.

Renee Kalmes, MSPH, CIH, is a senior managing scientist at Exponent and Director of their Oakland, California office. She is a certified industrial hygienist with more than 25 years of health risk assessment experience. In this role, she is responsible for designing, conducting, and managing technical studies addressing environmental, occupational, and consumer exposure to chemical agents. Ms. Kalmes has performed numerous field sampling programs and prepared more than 100 human health risk assessments for schools, residential communities, recreational facilities, and agricultural properties that included evaluation of potential exposure metals, pesticides, volatile organic chemicals, and petroleum products. Ms. Kalmes has extensive experience in evaluating state and local regulations pertaining to potential community and consumer exposure issues, including Proposition 65 labeling requirements, safer chemical alternative assessments, and green chemistry initiatives. She has taught numerous courses on health risk assessment, industrial hygiene, and toxicology. Synthetic turf is the target of recent allegations that the tiny bits of "crumb rubber" in the fields may be causing cancer. Health studies conducted to date have found no cause for concern. But ESPN and NBC News have both run specials highlighting the allegations, and several federal and state agencies and the European Chemicals Agency are conducting investigations. The issue is affecting local governments, universities, and sports teams in the US and UK. The panelists will discuss the nature of the attacks on this highly useful product, the current science and the ongoing investigations, and the risk of potential litigation. Webinars are complimentary. Please note that the IADC does NOT apply for CLE Credit for its webinars. However, attendees are welcome to apply for and/or claim credit as their jurisdictions allow. Please contact your state accrediting agency for state-specific requirements and rules

IADC Webinars are made possible by a grant from The Foundation of the IADC.